MonthMay 2015

In 1987, photographer Andre Sarano shot an image of a small crucifix submerged in a jar filled with some sort of amber liquid. What was that liquid? Well, the title — Piss Christ — should be a fairly obvious clue.

In 1996, mixed-media artist Chris Ofili created a painting of the virgin Mary that hung in a prominent New York gallery. His media? Pornographic images and elephant dung.

To the surprise of no one, Christians were deeply offended by both of these works of art. But the more progressive minded of our country demanded tolerance. Never mind that both works were funded, in part, by taxpayer dollars. All forms of art are legitimate, even if they offend. Nobody’s forcing you to look at it.